Here I write about various events I was involved in and ideas that inspired me. Recently, it is more of a linux blog because I have been doing a lot of work on it. However, off and on I write on various other things that my mind just can't let go easily.

Wednesday, 4 June 2008

Commandos Strike force

This is the fifth in the Commandos series from Eidos. However, this is a first person shooter game (fps) unlike others in the series which were third person strategic games.

One of the major drawbacks of the game is the dumb enemy artificial intelligence(AI), especially while working with the spy. However, the AI was fine when the enemy dodge bullets. Despite that the game is worth playing for its unique gaming experience provided by some features pretty new in the industry. These features make the game very realistic.

The game features dynamic switching between the commandos during the game play. In the following screenshot, I am shooting with the Green Beret (a character in the Strike force team).

While I am using the Green Beret, who is positioned in the heart of action, I am also using the sniper to provide cover to the Beret.

It was really wonderful to be able to see the course of action and be involved in it from two different perspectives at the same time. Such dynamic switching between characters of a game is unprecedented and is appreciable. It makes the game worth playing just for the experience of a new style of gameplay. You can see for yourself in the following video. I am not the player here though.

Earlier we have had games with multiple characters involved in action. However, dynamic switching was not there. One of the early examples of this is the famous game Max Payne 2. There is a level in the game where Mona Sax saves Max Payne by providing sniper cover while Max's response is simulated. In the next level, Max Payne plays in the same scenario with Mona's cover simulated. The developers of Strike Force have take a step towards next generation gaming by introducing dynamic switching.

To add to the realism in the game, there is a fist-fight between a Russian soldier (below) and a Nazi soldier(above) in the following screenshot.

It helps paint the image of world war 2 times in the mind of the gamer. The following screenshot was taken after a couple of Nazi soldiers were killed while they were basking in the warmth of the fire. The rifle of a Nazi soldier fell on the drum when his body fell down.

In the next screenshot the Green Beret is feeling the sharpness of the edge of the knife.

These elements add realism to the gameplay. Its nice to see a Nazi officer, out in cold, yawning. Another interesting feature is the ability of the sniper to hold his breath during shooting to be accurate.